By Mike Moore
Skip to main content
Tech Radar Pro
Tech Radar Gaming
Tech Radar Pro
TechRadar the business technology experts
Search TechRadar
View Profile
België (Nederlands)
Deutschland
North America
US (English)
Australasia
New Zealand
Expert Insights
Website builders
Web hosting
Best website builder
Best web hosting
Best office chairs
Best antivirus
Expert Insights
Recommended reading
Openreach declares aim to accelerate UK high-speed broadband rollout
T-Mobile is giving away free Smart VPN and satellite broadband with its business plans
The future of telecoms is already here, if we’re ready
Leaky location data bug fixed by O2 UK
Network Providers
Verizon’s latest home internet deal gets you $400 off Samsung tech, a free speaker, or a free Nintendo Switch
The best Visible Wireless deals and coupon codes for June 2025
T-Mobile just announced a five-year price guarantee on all its 5G unlimited plans
Good news Virgin Media O2 customers – huge Vodafone spectrum deal could mean major network boost
Mike Moore
1 July 2025
Vodafone nets £343 million payday in massive spectrum deal with Virgin Media O2
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Virgin Media O2)
Virgin Media O2 seals £343 million spectrum deal with Vodafone UK
Deal covers four seperate bands of UK spectrum
Virgin Media O2 will now hold nearly 30% of total UK mobile spectrum
Virgin Media O2 has confirmed a multi-million pound spectrum deal which should see it boost and expand its coverage across the UK.
The network will spend £343 million to acquire a total of 78.8Mhz of spectrum from Vodafone UK in a move which will not only boost customer experience, but also ensure the country has a well-balanced set of spectrum holders.
“This acquisition of spectrum will not only create greater balance in holdings across the UK’s mobile networks, but for Virgin Media O2 it will allow us to boost coverage and further improve our network quality, building on the significant investment we are already making in our mobile network,” noted Lutz Schüler, CEO of Virgin Media O2.
You may like
Openreach declares aim to accelerate UK high-speed broadband rollout
T-Mobile is giving away free Smart VPN and satellite broadband with its business plans
The future of telecoms is already here, if we’re ready
Virgin Media O2 spectrum boost
The deal, which still requires final sign-off from Ofcom, means Virgin Media O2 now holds a total of around 30% of UK mobile spectrum.
It is part of a wider deal struck between Virgin Media O2 and Vodafone UK in July 2024, which saw the pair agree to extend and enhance their existing mobile network sharing arrangement for more than a decade.
The spectrum being acquired covers four separate bands, and should help address some previous imbalances in terms of specific holdings for UK mobile network operators, enhancing competition and allowing Virgin Media O2 to provide increased capacity, speeds and greater coverage for its customers – both in consumer contracts, and through the various MVNOs making use of the company’s network.
“We’re committed to giving our customers a reliable mobile experience across the country and this increase in spectrum will help us deliver on that,” Schüler added, with Virgin Media O2 having already spent more than £2 billion on boosting UK services and networks.
Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
For Vodafone, the deal represents quite a significant payday, with the company happy to sell off spectrum it feels it no longer needs following its huge mega-merger with Three UK.
The newly-merged VodafoneThree recently revealed its launch of “The Nation’s Network” – its combined service which it hopes will offer 99.95% standalone 5G coverage by 2034.
The company plans to spend £11 billion in spending over the next 10 years, with all 27 million Vodafone and Three customers now getting access to roam across each other’s networks, meaning users should be automatically connected to the best coverage available at no extra cost.
Big changes could be coming to your broadband — Virgin Media O2 is laying down the gauntlet to BT Openreach
Virgin Media O2 reveals £700m network transformation plan to boost reliability across the board
We’ve rounded up the best business broadband deals right now
Social Links Navigation
Deputy Editor, TechRadar Pro
Mike Moore is Deputy Editor at TechRadar Pro. He has worked as a B2B and B2C tech journalist for nearly a decade, including at one of the UK’s leading national newspapers and fellow Future title ITProPortal, and when he’s not keeping track of all the latest enterprise and workplace trends, can most likely be found watching, following or taking part in some kind of sport.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
Openreach declares aim to accelerate UK high-speed broadband rollout
T-Mobile is giving away free Smart VPN and satellite broadband with its business plans
The future of telecoms is already here, if we’re ready
Leaky location data bug fixed by O2 UK
Verizon’s latest home internet deal gets you $400 off Samsung tech, a free speaker, or a free Nintendo Switch
The best Visible Wireless deals and coupon codes for June 2025
Latest in Pro
Accelerating live sports broadcasting to the speed of light with All-Photonics Networks (APNs)
How business leaders can manage integration of AI
It’s about time – Microsoft finally rolls out better passkey integration in Windows
This worrying Bluetooth security flaw could let hackers spy on your device via microphone
Sorry AI, when dealing with culture, ethics, and people, you need human oversight – according to Wix COO
FBI warns Scattered Spider hackers are now going after airlines
Latest in News
Apple Music is celebrating 10 years with a personalized ‘All Time’ Playlist, and there’s a way for Spotify listeners to get in on the action
Trump Mobile looks like a normal high-speed cell network – with one big and worrisome exception
I don’t generally recommend downloading Windows 11’s preview updates, but some gamers may want to chance Microsoft’s latest effort
My favorite VR headset of 2025 has started selling out – here’s why you should grab one before it’s gone for good
It’s about time – Microsoft finally rolls out better passkey integration in Windows
This worrying Bluetooth security flaw could let hackers spy on your device via microphone
LATEST ARTICLES
7 new horror movies on Prime Video, Shudder, HBO Max and more in July 2025
“We’re putting our money where our mouth is” – CyXcel reveals it’s one stop digital risk shop
Apple Music is celebrating 10 years with a personalized ‘All Time’ Playlist, and there’s a way for Spotify listeners to get in on the action
ChatGPT kept giving me bland dinner recipes until I showed it the kind of meals I actually like
This Lenovo Chromebook uses a CPU not found in any other laptops – and it should give AMD and Intel a run for their money
TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.
Contact Future’s experts
Terms and conditions
Privacy policy
Cookies policy
Advertise with us
Web notifications
Accessibility Statement
Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street,
Please login or signup to comment
Please wait…